It sucks, and I seem to have the worse luck when it comes to that kind of stuff, but I just take the penalty. There are certain courses I will avoid at certain times of the year for the reasons you describe! Now if the ball plugs and I find it, I will say we pull it out and no penalty for that. A few things we make judgement calls on - like lies in the bunker on tire tracks, etc. As an aside, I've always felt that the rules should be changed as far as divots in the fairway go. I don't see why anyone should be penalized for hitting a ball in the fairway... just doesn't seem right. Golf's hard enough!